Ford asks why Memphis is losing homeland security money

[JI7]

<MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr. wants to know why homeland security funding is being cut from Memphis.

Ford asked outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge in a letter Wednesday to "explain what changed in the past year to eliminate the threat of terror in Memphis."

The cut of $8.2 million will affect funding for first responders in Shelby and surrounding counties as part of the Urban Area Security Initiative.

"Our first responders are relying on this money for training and to secure important equipment that will keep us safer," the Memphis Democrat said.

Ford said he hadn't received any notice of the program's cuts and is lobbying for Ridge to restore funding.

"Memphis is home to the busiest cargo airport in the world, numerous chemical plants and a major port," he said. "Eliminating this funding while providing it to smaller cities that may be at less risk makes no sense." >

http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/state/ny-bc-ny--terrorcuts1216dec16,0,6918300.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork

[Racenut20]

1. Could be because Cong. Ford is a Democrat ???

And a potential candidate for the Senate?

[JI7]

2. the Bush administration playing politics with homeland security ?

no wayyyy

[madrchsod]

3. don`t need any protection in memphis

they have the ghost of elvis to protect them....